Remembering ‘the little man with the big vision’
KUCHING: Former Anglican priest of 38 years Archdeacon Emeritus Michael Lim passed away here on Jan 28, 2017.
The following is a tribute by his grandchildren Abigail Dawn Yong and Paul Dylan Lim:
Archdeacon Emeritus Michael Lim, the youngest of four children, was born on Sept 27, 1922.
Many who knew him would have fond recollections of his loud voice, big heart, frequent visitations to their homes and small stature.
He completed his primary and secondary education at St Thomas’s School, Kuching.
Later, his poem ‘Aim Higher’ was selected as the anthem for his alma mater.
In 1936, he attended an AngloChinese school in Singapore. When the Japanese occupied Singapore in 1941, Lim was one of the 1,500 Chinese who were detained in Teluk Kurau School.
On the eve of his execution, Lim escaped with 20 other young Chinese. Reflecting upon his miraculous survival, Lim stated, “I would have been killed if I had not escaped. God has saved my life for a purpose and I had prayed that I would give myself to be his priest.”
He went back to Kuching where he worked for the Sarawak Steamship Company for a number of years.
Lim married his beautiful wife, Adeline Kang, in 1949, and they had eight children.
As a keen sportsman and a staunch Liverpool Football Club fan, Lim founded two local football teams called the Spartan Wanderers, first division, and Trojan, second division; one of which won the Championship Shield.
In 1956, Bishop of Borneo,
I would have been killed if I had not escaped. God has saved my life for a purpose and I had prayed that I would give myself to be his priest.
the Right Revd Nigel Edmund Cornwall, reminded Lim of his vow to God in Singapore; subsequently, Lim made the bold decision to join the Anglican priesthood.
He completed his theological training in Cuddesdon College, Oxford, and served for eight years in St Thomas’ Cathedral, Kuching; two years in St Andrew’s Church, Brunei; and 28 years in St Faith’s Church, Kuching – a church he planted in 1969.
St Faith’s began with a small congregation of only 10 members. Since then, a new church building was built in 1978, and by the time of his retirement, the number of worshippers grew to around 5,000 members.
As Lim and other faithful servants laboured in the fields of Kenyalang, Sekama, Foochow Road, Atap Pah, Pending, Petra Jaya and more, many lives were touched and transformed by the work of God.
A loving shepherd to his flock, Lim would make frequent visits to churchgoers and non-churchgoers alike.
He knew his parishioners by name and the errant churchgoers would not escape his notice.
Lim would preach his sermons in English, Bidayuh, Iban and Hokkien.
His home was open to everyone, so much so that his children hardly knew who was at the dinner table with them. Hungry and thirsty parishioners, especially young people, in need of a drink or rest were welcomed into his home.
Lim retired on March 31, 1993 at the age of 70. Upon retiring, he penned these words in his journal, “the fire still burns undiminished in the little man with the big vision”.
Although he had retired, Lim would continue to give his service when required.
Lim had a deep love for the Church until his final breath, and the impact of his labour of love continues until today.
Many came from near and far to mourn and celebrate a life well spent to the glory of God, at the hall and church of Lim’s precious St Faith’s.
Here are three of the numerous messages that were conveyed to the family:
“It’s under his leadership in St Faith’s that I was saved as a born- again and started serving the Lord until today. Your father was a great pioneer and church planter, and was used by God to start a revival in St Faith’s. He was an inspiration to me when I was as young as a choir boy in St Thomas’ Cathedral.” – PG
“I have never cried since my own mother passed away 30 years ago until this morning. I could hear his powerful voice ringing when I touched his coffi n.” – NR
“I know him as a man who gave the best part of his life to God and the remaining part of his life he did not hold for his own.” – PC
During the funeral service, Lim’s favourite hymns, ‘Abide with Me’, ‘As the deer’, and ‘Jesus Lives! Thy terrors now, can no longer, death, appall us’ were sung triumphantly.
Rest in eternal peace, our beloved Father Lim.
Archdeacon Emeritus Michael Lim, Former Anglican priest